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When Carnival Cruise Lines unveiled Fun Ship 2.0 it was the beginning of a huge transformation for the fleet and the perception of the cruise line itself. Fun Ship 2.0 builds on the popular features launched on Carnival Magic in 2011 from the massive waterpark to new partnerships in dining and entertainment. Since the launch of Magic, Carnival has announced breakthrough partnerships with some of today’s biggest talents and has created its own new branded experiences and onboard destinations.

Carnival Breeze is the first ship to feature all of the new entertainment offerings that are part of the Fun Ship 2.0 enhancements so let’s take a look at what’s new.

Easy on the eyes

Long known for its over-the-top interior decor by resident architect Joseph Farcus, Carnival has recently been toning down its signature glitzy look with a more contemporary, elegant style. From the moment you step onboard it’s clear Breeze isn’t a neon shrine of past Carnival ships. The ship offers a distinctive island-inspired design theme offering a dramatic combination of bright colors and soothing pastel hues, with iconic images of palm trees and other tropical elements adorning hallway corridors. Contemporary furnishings and light fixtures enhance the stylish atmosphere.

High-tech Entertainment

Breeze offers Carnival’s first Thrill Theater, with interactive special effects that make viewers feel as if they are part of the featured movie. The theater combines a high-definition projection system with elements such as squirting water and bubbles, and original special effects that tickle guests’ legs, blow air on their necks and poke them in their seats. Seats within the theater shift back and forth, move from side to side and also vibrate, creating an exciting and exhilarating experience. Guests receive special glasses that deliver a truly immersive movie-going experience.

Breeze is also the first ship to offer Hasbro, The Game Show, a new family-oriented entertainment option that features larger-than-life adaptations of the brand’s iconic games and activities. Six main games are offered: SORRY! SLIDERS, which involves a giant shuffleboard court; SIMON FLASH, where two teams of four guests wear giant light-up color boxes and must shuffle themselves quickly to repeat a color sequence; YAHTZEE BOWLING, with a giant ball and larger-than-life-sized bowling pins; OPERATION SAM DUNK, which is set up like a skee-ball board where contestants try to get the balls into different slots on the “patient’s” body, and CONNECT 4 BASKETBALL, which uses a basketball setup rather than the traditional checkers to play.

Playlist Productions debuts on Breeze offering high-tech production shows that combine captivating live performances with LED staging and special effects to set a new standard in seagoing entertainment. Four exhilarating revues are currently offered – “Divas,” “Latin Nights,” “Motor City,” and “The Brits!” – each featuring widely popular and memorable music encompassing a variety of styles, genres and eras.

New Cuisine

Two new dining options debut on Breeze. Carnival’s first full-service sushi restaurant, Bonsai Sushi offers a wide variety of Asian-inspired delicacies with a contemporary decor featuring artwork by world-renowned graffiti artist Erni Vales, colorful koi kites flown during impromptu celebrations, and, of course, several Bonsai trees. Located along Promenade Deck, Bonsai Sushi includes a number of varieties of sushi, sashimi, and rolls along with bento boxes and the venue’s own interpretation of a sushi boat – in this case, a sushi “ship” – with prices ranging from $1 for appetizer-sized portions to $15 for a sushi ship for two.

Also, Fat Jimmy’s C-Side BBQ is reminiscent of a backyard barbecue. This complimentary open-air dining venue located on Promenade Deck offers a mouth-watering array of grilled favorites, including barbecued chicken breast, kielbasa, Italian sausage, and Fat Jimmy’s signature item, pulled pork sandwiches, along with traditional sides like baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw and mini-corn muffins.

There’s a lot more onboard so stay tuned for more live blogs from Carnival Breeze.

© www.expertcruiser.com – Your online consumer guide for cruise travel and information.

Nobody does fun better than Carnival Cruise Lines from the young in age to the young at heart. Founded in 1972 with just one ship, Carnival is now the world’s largest cruise line, boasting a fleet of 23 ships, with one more on order, and a corporate philosophy that focuses on value, quality, and of course, fun. “We have a clear idea of who and what we are and we offer fun and memorable vacations,” says Carnival Cruise Lines’ CEO Gerry Cahill.

The new 130,000-ton Carnival Magic is the culmination of the best of the line’s 40-years on the high seas. At 3,646 passengers (maximum 4,631 passenger capacity including upper berths) Magic is Carnival’s biggest ship to date and introduces a number of exciting new features for the line.

The social network

As the second of three Dream-class ships (Carnival Breeze is scheduled to launch in spring 2012), Carnival Magic offers the same popular areas as its sister ship Carnival Dream. Carnival ships are known to have an outlandish décor, but thankfully Magic like its sister ship Dream has been toned down to a more subdued fun level that passengers seem to prefer. A ‘classier’ Carnival? Maybe. Still, it is a “Fun Ship” and there’s no escaping the fact that everything onboard is geared towards extroverted passenger pursuits.

“We attract a very social type of person on our ships,” adds Cahill. Indeed, the Dream-class ships were designed for seagoing social butterflies. The heart of Carnival Magic is the Ocean Plaza, an indoor/outdoor area that is open day and night and is lined with coffee shops, bars, Internet cafes, shops and other meet-up locations. The Lanai area features a wrap-around promenade and four cantilevered whirlpools suspended over the ship’s side. There’s also a “FunHub” area, the line’s social network area at sea. Guests can use one of 36 onboard computers to post requests looking for like-minded guests wanting to share shore excursions, play backgammon, cards, or simply get together over a beer at the new RedFrog Pub.

The addition of the Caribbean-inspired RedFrog Pub with its own lager proved to be a huge hit right from the first day. So popular is the pub that the entire stockpile of its signature “ThirstyFrog Red” beer was guzzled with gusto by guests on embarkation day. Thankfully, Carnival came to the rescue and had kegs delivered to the ship a few days later in Sicily. Beer clearly has no boundaries.

Entertainment is everywhere onboard. Laughs are always assured with the talented onboard comedians who offer nightly shows at the Punchliner in the Spotlight Lounge. The lounge also serves as a karaoke spot where guests can croon with the accompaniment of a live band and backup singer. The Showtime Theater offers great passenger participation shows with cruise director extraordinaire John Heald and at night the theater hosts three new elaborate Vegas-style shows. Poolside the Seaside Theater shows movies day and night on the huge Jumbotron. It’s also home to the infamous “Hairy Chest Contest” and “Cruise Queen Coronation”. The Ocean Plaza atrium area offers excellent musical entertainment throughout the day and night. In the evenings the Vibe Nightclub and Play It Again Piano Bar are always packed with energetic revelers. Those wanting to gamble will have no problem finding their game of chance in the Hat Trick Casino.

Guests wishing to relax have many options among the abundant quiet deck space along the Lanai, and the many outdoor nooks that offer plush wicker furniture and umbrellas. Another escape is the massive Cloud 9 Spa that spans over two decks in the front of the ship and offers an Asian-inspired ambiance. You can relax in the huge thalassotherapy pool or the thermal suite based on a Turkish bath experience. Before and after treatments, guests are encouraged to relax with a cup of tea in a relaxation area with comfy loungers and canopied beds with sea views and soothing music. Additionally after a treatment guests can go al fresco just above the spa to the 11,250-square-foot adults-only Serenity area with plush loungers, beds, and hammocks. Fitness buffs will appreciate the spa’s large fitness center with state-of-the-art Lifecycle machinery along with daily fitness classes with personal trainers. There are also 65 spa staterooms that offer direct access to the spa through a private elevator. Each stateroom has special décor and amenities that make for the ultimate seagoing spa and wellness vacation that’s only steps away from the stateroom.

Family friendly amenities

In addition to the spa staterooms, accommodations include 1,823 well-appointed staterooms, including 12 penthouse suites, 58 suites and the 65 aforementioned spa cabins. The “cove” balcony cabins located close to the waterline are proving to be very popular as are the deluxe ocean view staterooms that feature a configuration with two bathrooms and five berths. Of the ship’s 1,823 staterooms, over 250 will be interconnecting with more than 400 accommodating up to three, four, and four guests – perfect for families.

Indeed it’s the focus on families that Carnival excels at. The line is expected to carry an estimated 670,000 children this year, roughly half the total number of kids carried by the entire North American cruise industry. So, it’s no surprise that Magic offers 19,000 total square feet of space catering to kids of all ages. Magic’s youth activities areas are expansive, the largest is the 5,000-square-foot Camp Carnival (ages 2-11) located on Deck 11 that is divided into age-appropriate areas. Located on Deck 4, is the 1,075-square-foot Circle C (ages 12-14) and adjacent is the 2,740-square-foot Club O2 (ages 15-17) that boasts a dance floor, soda bar, game area and more.

For parents who like to party Carnival is rolling out a new fee-based, late-night children’s program on Magic that will debut fleetwide in June. Dubbed Camp Carnival NightOwls the program will offer supervised activities from 10 p.m. up until 3 a.m. for various age groups. For children ages 2-11, the program will operate until midnight and cost $13 per child, plus a 15 percent gratuity. The program will also operate until 1 a.m. for those age 6 to 8 years and cost $20 with a 15 percent gratuity. Additionally, for children ages 9- 11 years old, the program will end at 3 a.m., when children will be delivered back to their staterooms. That program will cost $33 plus the 15 percent gratuity.

Located on Deck 12 is the largest water park at sea, WaterWorks, with various water-spray apparatus, an industry-first 300-gallon dump bucket, and the 303-foot-long, four decks high “Twister Waterslide”, the longest at sea. The water park complements Magic’s three swimming pools and seven whirlpools. On Deck 12 Aft is the SportSquare outdoor recreation area with the first-ever ropes course at sea, Sky Fitness outdoor fitness area, and two-level mini-golf course. The SkyCourse lets passengers take a walk on the wild side with the assistance of a safety harness. There are two 230-foot courses that offer beginner and intermediate options each course has rope bridges, swinging steps and beams suspended above the ship’s top deck. A Sports Court within the SportsSquare complex offers basketball, volleyball and soccer. Additionally, there are six-station Vita exercise course and ping pong and foosball tables.

Carnival cuisine

Carnival offers by far the best dining value at sea with a vast array of menu options. The majority of meals are served in the ship’s two main dining rooms, Northern Lights and Southern Lights, which offer dinners in the traditional manner, with assigned times and assigned tables (breakfasts and lunches are open seating), along with the line’s “Your Choice” open seat dining that allows guests to eat when they want.

Main restaurants aside, Magic offers abundant round-the-clock dining options. The Marketplace on Lido Deck, is the ship’s casual buffet restaurant, is arranged into several serving stations. Two areas that are particularly popular leading to long lines are the burrito Bar and pasta bar. Both areas allow guests to pick what’s in their burrito or choice of pastas, sauces, and meats. Also available is Indian Tandoori, Mongolian wok, a 24-hour pizzeria, deli, hamburger and hot dog grill, and ice-cream machines. The Plaza Café offers breakfast and lunch options as well and for a small fee pub grub is available in the RedFrog Pub. Another dining option is the Sushi Bar on Deck 5 and of course there’s always 24-hour room service.

The Prime Steakhouse is Magic’s supper club restaurant, where for $30 per person you’ll get a magnificent six course gourmet meal. However, it’s the new Cucina Del Capitano restaurant that is getting the highest praise onboard. At lunchtime it’s free and offers a pasta bar; however, at night it turns into an unforgettable trattoria experience. For $10 guests can dine family style from a menu inspired by the favorite family recipes of Carnival’s captains.

It’s clear: Carnival Magic is one big “Fun Ship” full of innovations that can make for a great family vacation.

If you go:

Carnival Magic is sailing a schedule of seven- to 12-day Mediterranean voyages through October 16. Ports of call include Monte Carlo, Rome, Naples, Messina, Palma, Marseilles, Venice and Dubrovnik. Carnival Magic will then sail on a 16-day transatlantic crossing then launch seven-day Caribbean service from Galveston, Texas, becoming the port’s largest year-round ship. Prices for Mediterranean voyages start at $699; Caribbean cruises from $589. Visit Carnival’s Website for more details.

By Anita Dunham-Potter (editor@www.expertcruiser.com)

© www.expertcruiser.com – Your online consumer guide for cruise travel and information.

The 130,000-ton, 3,690-passenger Carnival Magic is really a floating resort offering the line’s most innovative features to date. For the last two sea days passengers are flocking to the expansive outer decks for sun and fun. The new SportsSquare area is a huge hit with the new additions of the SkyCourse ropes area and SkyFitness area with exercise equipment.

The pools and the slides at WaterWorks are in constant use with kids and adults. Guests wishing to relax are having no problem finding abundant quiet deck space along the Lanai, Serenity area, and the many outdoor nooks that offer plush wicker furniture and umbrellas. Indoors the Lanai area along with the RedFrog Pub is the heart of the ship day and night.

Check out the photos to below to see for yourself how Magic’s guests are enjoying the ship to the fullest.

By Anita Dunham-Potter (editor@www.expertcruiser.com)

© www.expertcruiser.com – Your online consumer guide for cruise travel and information.

The beards at Carnival certainly know how to please their clientele with the new features on the Carnival Magic. The addition of the Caribbean-inspired RedFrog Pub with its own lager was sure to be a hit, but Carnival didn’t really have a clue just how big a hit it would be. How big is it? Well, on the very first day the venue ran out of its signature ThirstyFrog Red! On Embarkation day thirsty guests consumed the entire onboard stockpile of the malty-red beer concoction — much of it disappeared quickly in the numerous 100-ounce beer tubes that were being served table side to happy guests. All is not lost for the rest of the cruise as Carnival is overnight shipping kegs of ThirstyFrog Red that are expected to be delivered to the ship’s next port of call, Dubrovnik, Croatia. Beer clearly has no boundaries.

Carnival expects to carry over 670,000 children in 2011 and for parents who like to party the cruise line is rolling out a new fee-based, late-night children’s program. Dubbed Camp Carnival NightOwls the program will offer supervised activities from 10 p.m. up until 3 a.m. for various age groups. For children ages 2-11, the program will operate until midnight and cost $13 per child, plus a 15 percent gratuity. The program will also operate until 1 a.m. for those age 6 to 8 years and cost $20 with a 15 percent gratuity. Additionally, for children ages 9- 11 years old, the program will end at 3 a.m., when children will be delivered back to their staterooms. That program will cost $33 plus the 15 percent gratuity. The NightOwls program is currently available on Carnival Magic and will be rolled out fleet wide starting in June.

By Anita Dunham-Potter (editor@www.expertcruiser.com)

© www.expertcruiser.com – Your online consumer guide for cruise travel and information.

Carnival Cruise Lines’ newest ship, the 130,000-ton Carnival Magic has some amazing new features and unique decor. Here’s a few photos to get you acquainted with the newest Fun Ship!

Stay tuned to www.expertcruiser.com for all the latest Carnival Magic news!

By Anita Dunham-Potter (editor@www.expertcruiser.com)

© www.expertcruiser.com – Your online consumer guide for cruise travel and information.